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Kipper Nichols makes himself at home

CHAMPAIGN — John Groce joked about his “oldest team in the country” during his Monday afternoon appearance at the 27th annual Kendall Gill Golf Outing, saying his pair of sixth-year seniors were hitting the streets of Champaign looking for senior discounts.

That’s the thing about the 2016-17 Illini. An experienced roster that returns nearly 100 percent intact from last season will hold little in the way of surprises.

Even incoming freshman Te’Jon Lucas was able to show off his game during his senior year at Milwaukee Washington after he signed last November. Untimely and unfortunate injury aside, he even played a game in Champaign in front of an Illini-heavy crowd at Parkland College.